Tikari Works has built a half subterranean home behind a timber screen, on a site that previously contained a garage in south London.
Located in East Dulwich, the two-bedroom house was designed by architects Nicola and Ty Tikari as their own home. It is also the first completed project by their studio Tikari Works.

The 80-square-metre plot was previously the site of a domestic car garage and had a buildable area of only 35 square metres, so Pocket House had to be designed to make use of all available space.
"One of the main challenges of the project was negotiating the physical and planning constraints of the site, whilst making a domestic space which feels generous and soulful; a space which offers a retreat from the outside world and inspires its inhabitants at the same time," said Nicola Tikari.
Over half of the house is located underground, with the entire site excavated to create space for two underground bedrooms, a bathroom and a large lightwell in the corner of the plan, which lets daylight into the basement floor.
Above ground, the house is stepped back from the street and set back behind the lightwell, to align with the other houses on the street.

The facade of the house is covered with a slatted timber screen, designed to give privacy to the internal rooms while diffusing sunlight.
"The conflicting parameters of daylight versus privacy became an opportunity for a theatrical timber screen," continued Tikari.  

"This screen...